Voracity Seaquake Lament

(With thanks to Banksy who invited me to steal anything I wanted from his site.)

Well, as you can tell from my extensive thievery this weekend of all the video sites I can mine, I didn't hold to my word to not post over the weekend.  Basically I found Too Much Stuff, all of it I want to keep, so I sweep it up and stick it here as long as Blogger will let me.  As I was messing around and following links I found this old crocheted bedspread but IT IS BLACK!  OMG.  I immediately pinned it on my board of things I don't want to live another minute without.

All of a sudden it looks contemporary and I feel a deep need to own it!  But alas and alack, it was listed at over $1000 USD, a bit too rich for my dogs to have digging away on my bed.  But I got a brain storm, because I am a crafty old broad and can do anything I set my mind too.  I will crochet one MYSELF.  Well seven minutes later I gave that up because, though I learned to crochet when I was about 7, I never progressed beyond sc (which is single crochet for those of you even behind me!)  This is usually enough to finish an edge on something I've knitted, and I haven't bothered with bobbles or anything else that exciting.  So, I went to eBay and sure enough for $65 I found this:

It's huge, it's pretty close to the pattern of the glorious black one with the diamonds arranged in a different way, and I will dye it myself and hopefully remove the fringe.  Dye is cheap, so for an investment of a mere fraction of that $1000+ I'll have a reasonable facsimile.  I am genius, hear me roar.  I can copy anything.  Now, how can I spend that $935 I've saved?

Crochet?  Did somebody say CROCHET???  Jo Hamilton is the master, builds whole scenes with her hook and some yarn.  Watch this stop motion video of how she works a portrait:

And now go to her site and see the amazing portraits there.

And here's a list of links if you don't have anything to do on Sunday mornings---

The Institute for Figuring

SuperNaturale I Can Read

Stephanie Syjuco, the Counterfeit Crochet Project

Allyson Mitchell's Granny Square Wreck Room

Studio International

Crochet Insider

Crochet Videos

OK?  Enough to keep you busy until Monday?  Maybe I'll skip Monday, it'a holiday and I might have to make potato salad to celebrate.   Maybe I can get some help from this guy:

Well geesh, that's why they call 'em pigs.

Aldrin Vortex Sear

just another little bugaboo

I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART

I think I want Tom Waits to narrate my bio too. I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE BORING ART.

And this guy won't make any more boring videos!

No digital trickery-  he made 1000 stills from his video, then had 300 people hold them up synchronized with the original video.  Very cool.  Not boring!

Also, this one is not digitally enhanced either-  another favorite video to share with you today, the Wrecking Crew Orchestra-----


And One More TIme!  This all from stock Getty Images, and all stop motion!

From Love to Bingo

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.     Edwin Land

OK, enough with the videos. Sandy.  Shows what I'm doing today-  trolling!  And I wasn't going to post this weekend.  I'm a liar.  SO, here's a link to the Spotify playlist of all the songs mentioned in Patti Smith's 'Just Kids', a book I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to anybody who was around in the 60's.  I am still waiting for my son's playlist from his wedding, all I remember is Al Greene-  a perfect mother/son dance.  And I think probably the ONLY mother/son dance we have ever had!  So, Nate-  if you're out there, where's my playlist?

I've GOT TO get to the studio so I stop making this boring art!   Happy Saturday Date Night, all.

Excuse Groan Mean

Lifted directly this morning from the Robert Genn Painters Keys newsletter- make sure and substitute 'textile art' for the word 'painting':

Intellectuals and others have enthused about modern forms of art that seem more significant in today's problem-loaded world. These pundits are the ones most frequently announcing the death of painting. The forms of art they espouse have the advantage of not being so arduous to teach and have more shock, social, and entertainment value than old-fashioned representational forms. People will line up around the block to be shocked, socialized or entertained, whereas traditional forms tend to attract a quieter crowd. While the public entertainment artist serves a valuable purpose, the private traditional painter continues to labour in her modest studio or mountain pass.  Looks like 'we' attract the quieter crowd, odd considering we are all so noisy. Winslow Homer said it well: "Look at nature, work independently, and solve your own problems."

I have been hankering to do a book about hands-  this will be the cover.  Or maybe not.  I mostly just like orange.  I have a folder full of hand images now and it's either fish or cut bait and dump them all.

stay tuned. 

(Don't you think hands will be a nicer obsession than squirrels?)

So. the other day while trolling the webs out there, I found a movie I may want to see,  'Moonrise Kingdom' so I went looking to see where it would be playing around here since it opens today.  Coildn't find it so I left my email on Fandango to let me know where it will be showing.  And today, just in time to see it on it's first day they send me a list of 4 theaters 'near you'.  For this, YOU need to know I am in south Florida.  The theaters where it's showing are two in New York city, one in Plano Texas, and one in Evanston Illinois.  Guess I should go check JetBlue and erase my plans for the day. WTF?  It's a MOVIE, not something I care about traveling 1500 miles to get to the fresh popcorn!  Sometimes the web, she works.  Sometimes not so much.  

Off to get a new color of hairs (pick two or three here)

(with thanks to MBF's FB post this morning)

and buy a new toaster, no color choice.

Freehand Bless Plough

I think an artist’s responsibility is more complex than people realize.Jodie Foster

Well by now you all know that I have a fascination with twins and squirrels and all things odd.  I also collect bunnies and shoes quotes about art and friends on prozac.  It seems that I am also collecting Tibetan Terriers but I need one more in the pack to officially add that (I don't think I should count my former Tibetans but if I do that I am way beyond the official collation of three).  Of course there is also the ironstone collection.  And the vintage tablecloth collection.  And I guess I could go on but you will think I am in need of hoarder intervention.  Or my own prescription to prozac.

But, to get back to my twins-fascination and my bunny fascination in one swell foop:

couldya just DIE???  Aren't they the sweetest ever?  Lookit their little feets!

And now, Lookit these Bigger (and older!) Feats!

A jolly set of twins, for sure, but at 70, and when off-duty,  it's a bit odd that they still dress alike. eh?

Lakeside Alcoholic Volunteer

Annie Vought**

Tired of hanging around?  Here are a couple of pretty damn good options for you!

James Victore, is inviting a handful of budding designers to come play with him. Never one for convention, Victore began hosting a week-long workshop in his Williamsburg studio last October as a way of challenging up-and-comers to see design through his eyes while giving them a "set of wings" so they can continue to grow.

The Textile Arts Center has a residency program in NYC that is worth looking into:  Info is here

Spent a very short time studio-ing today.  Unfortunately I had a bag of sugar free cookies in the place and I couldn't concentrate with them yelling at me to come and get 'em!  I was busy mostly separating 4 values of skin out from each other but I don't think I did a very good job, and only worked on one little head.  I'll try some layering of the different fabrics tomorrow to see if it worked but first I have to get to Palm Beach to a little shopping district with the Walking Nazi (we're driving, not walking!)

Should be a nice change from my daily studio and dog walking routine.

Grill is ready, lamb chops are waiting.  See you tomorrow.   

**Annie Vought:  here is her current work-  she works with text and removing the negative spaces in old letters.  Amazing work so make sure and go look at her site for more.

Lagalarm Lager Alb

Laurel Roth, Biodiversity Reclamation Suit: Passenger Pigeon (2008) and Biodiversity Reclamation Suit: Carolina Parakeet (2009).  Soon to be in the Renwick's show, '40 under 40.

Here are the Carolina Parakeet, as drawn before it became extinct in 1918 and Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon from 1914.  Both died in the same cage in the CIncinnati Zoo:

Yup.  Bridal Uggs.  Bet someome will wear them with their Vera Wang strapless gown and think she is soooo chic.  Is there anything more hideous than Ugg boots?  Before you send me the angry email, they are great for a ski lodge, perhaps even tobogganing but geesh, I see them on starlets frolicking in filmy sun dresses out there in LALA land.  Even saw them with a bathing suit one time.  Get rid of them!  Or I'll punch ya.

Got a bunch of things done yesterday in the studio-  lots of decisions made and many things taped together as a 'plan'.  You know me and plans-  they generally get discarded as the execution starts, but at least I've got something on the walls...and tables...and floors...  Yeah, I take up a lot of room!  Several of my iPhone 'sketches' here:

 faces from a mysterious old photo

 dresses froom 2 vintage embroidered tablecloths

 skin in four different linens, flowers from a different piece, hair from a former pants-leg of mine, and shoes from satin.

EtchPop, my kickstarter project that I funded came through with my wood block, now I have to buy some proper inks because my old dried up stuff won't work

And my latest TJMax find:  two little baskets made from old tires.  Other than the smell, I love 'em.!  Thankfully I didn't get the garden sized huge baskets.  

And now off to the doggie day care and then the studio and 'the girls from Leadville'!

Compulsion Frankfurter Compulsive

Actually got a few things accomplished in the studio yesterday!  I gathered up the nerve to slice up the old Colorado quilt and did the deed.  I also had to cut off one of the border panels and will re-sew it on the raw edge today so my background is ready to go and the perfect size give or take a few 'squinches'!  And of course I went off and forgot the old top that I washed the other day-  when I got it to the studio I realized that the whole thing had turned pale blue in not a nice way from the dye running.  I'm going to throw it back in the wash with my color-catcher and see if it can be salvaged as a cutter.  But now that I have my background I am reassessing how to do this whole piece.  As usual.  Hey, a plan is meant to be modified, isn't it?  After all, I am a mere mortal-  so this says:

HORRORS:  Your moods seem to be changing quickly now and it's difficult to know how you're going to feel next. One minute you seem to have superpowers and then just a few moments later you're back to being a mere mortal. Even if you can leap tall thoughts in a single bound, you still need to follow through with sensible action. There's nothing wrong with having your head in the clouds as long as you can keep your feet on the ground at the same time.

Also I blew up my teensy source photo to actual size-  had to do it twice and use 70 pieces of paper (!) because I neglected to reset the paper size for the first print and didn't monitor what was spitting out.  Damn, Now I have lots of scrap paper which printed in pale purple for some reason.  Ick.  Guess my 2013 Sketchbook Project will necessarily be purple.  So today I tape it all together and re-draw it and then worry about fabric selections for the different parts.  And then I sew on the borders.  And then I wash the blue and white top again. my day is unfolding before me, and it ain't very exciting but 

at the very least...    I'M DOING SOMETHING!   And anxious to get back at it!

There is no such thing as 'on the way out' as long as you are doing something interesting.Louis Armstrong

***

Do not be discouraged at the length of this first video.  Instead, put your hot tea next to you and wait halfway through the video before you drink it.  Also, you can kind of fast forward if you need to but it's so meditative, why would you ant to do that?  This is amazing precise lathe work on, of all things, a jawbreaker-  one that's too damn big to actually put in one's mouth!  Now, dammit, I want a lathe...
Remember the poster from above:  There is more to life than increasing its speed!


This video, thankfully, is much shorter, and I think I liked it because this little guy named Disco  looks exactly like my parakeet from the 50's.  (The one my grandfather may or may not have done away with on my mother's behest.  I never forgave him.)  And this little guy is why-  listen to him go at it-

 nice boidy...

Don't let the scary picture get ya-  this is funny and appropriate for all the worker-bees out there who get discouraged.  Sometimes a little change-up is necessary-  A HUMAN SUIT!

Laissez Albumin Seal

I've been hemming pants again, wish I were taller and this wouldn't be a necessity so often.  

Platform shoes don't help much either, I've tried.

see? She can't even wear pants because they would have to be cut off at the knees.  

(NOT even a reasonable facsimile of me- my hair is shorter.)

But in light of the leopard platform booties, I have an encaustic sarcastic comment on Leopard Pants:

(hmmm, don't know why that came out orange...)

  metaphorically speaking...

HORROR:  There's an important shift brewing in your social world now that the Sun, Moon and Venus are all occupying your 11th House of Friends. Something out of the ordinary may occur, ultimately making you feel as if your friends or co-workers aren't even on your side. However, these feelings could be just an illusion playing a trick on you. Let things develop naturally and don't try to read too much into the current situation.

The Current Situation Ain't Gonna Bother Me, No Siree, Sir! 

Now, a couple of the finalist entries from the squirrel contest:

 (OK, it's not a squirrel in a costume, it's a dog in a squirrel costume.  Close but no cigar.)
And the LUCKY WINNER is.........................

Someone who has declined the offer of my fabric, just wants the glory with none of the responsibilities.  Geesh, I can't even give it away.  Guess I'll make the 4 year old a batik dress or three-  she will like the purple.

The really good thing is that you can still buy this squirrel.  I'm passing on it so it's yours.  If you do put in the winning bid and get this guy for your mantle, let me know and I'll make him a wee codpiece for those times when modesty is necessary, like when the priest comes for the house-blessing, or your mother-in-law storms in to check if you're feeding your family correctly.  Funny how it will match Hazel's new dresses too, so you can invite her over at the same time.

And you all know where to direct your complaints, right?

Frangipani Comptroller Frank

 Good words

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.  -Pablo Picasso

And a few more good words:

I don't have to think about 40 years from now because I'll be long dead, but at least I'll leave a more intelligent legacy for my great grandkids to remember me by.

Better that than this crocheted pizza rug, eh?

My intent today was to be in the studio, but I keep getting hung up on little projects here-  just stuck a neighbor's whole yield of tomatoes into the oven to dry out and get all sticky and concentrated-  yum!  These are particularly good little guys, small, about 2 1/2" in diameter but full of taste-  so much better than store-bought, AND so far ahead of the country in 'local' produce.  These were the tomatoes left in their garden as they were heading back up north AND as a bonus because I am such a great person and loyal friend, it was enhanced with a package of lamb chops!  Am I lucky or what?  This is after years of walking down the street with the contents of my own refrigerator before we leave town-  finally I get to be there recipient and oh boy, I am gonna enjoy it!  So, while the tomatoes are cooking down, I also threw a couple of ears of corn into the microwave and s soon as they are cool, I'll take them off the cobs and save them for some little corn pancakes tonight.  I have been thinking fritters but I have a good new pancake plan with almond flour that I can eat and I know it's good.  So dinner is in the tubes and ready to go.  Maybe a little wine too.

Yesterday I was talking to Nate on the phone but the reception was awful and at some point we got disconnected so I handed the phone over to TY in case he called back, so I could go get in the shower.  Within a minute TY called me back outside to hand me the smashed iPhone.  Yup, after two years of me carrying it around everywhere with no accidents, he has it for 20 seconds and it hits the stone patio as he chased a bee away from his drink.  Smithereens.  Glass shards.  And I cut my finger.  So off to the Maul I went to get a replacement and of course I've had it seventeen minutes too long so it's out of replacement contracts.  So since TY busted it he promised me a new one and that's what I got.  It comes equipped with my own concierge who does whatever she wants with my requests for service.  This should be interesting.  I'm going to ask her to walk the dogs next.

At least she is polite as she mispronounces my name.

And as soon as I get those little kernels free, I am out of here.

Scillie Satur Daze

And this post is kind of about how normal I am.

First off, Jo, you will have to arm wrestle me for the bunny-in-a-mug!  That is if I actually had him.  If I did I would probably get him stuffed and dressed in an adorable rabbit fur jacket.  So the answer is NO, no substitutions for the precious fabric PRIZE for the clothed taxidermy contest.  Time is getting close when I will close all the entries and the wiener errrr, I mean Winner...  will be announced and Ed McMahon (stuffed and properly dressed) will appear at YOUR door bearing batik in frivolous colors.

Since I just mentioned wieners...

SO not a good idea:  Hot Dog Cupcakes-  yup, cupcake batter baked inside a hog casing.  Full directions, including grilling instructions, are right here if you are so inclined.

 Now here's an idea with feet-  a pre-pixilated towel to protect your private parts when being photographed!  I know so many paparazzi are waiting for me to exit the shower-  think I'll order this.

And it's come to this for me, a Bug Memorial, complete with portraits of the dear departed, the requisite teddy bears and lots of dead flowers.  I need to set up a little memorial to my defunct ant city in the studio-  I should have made portraits as I was sucking up all two million of them into the vacuum!
Lest I forget...

So, for now, I am heading back to the Heron-Cams.  Dad is fishing and being quite successful.  The pressure is on with five new mouths to feed as well as a hungry mom wanting to get out to the pond for herself.  I am still worried about the fifth egg to hatch-  that baby is so much smaller than the other robust four, and is sometimes hard to locate because they are all stepping on him.  I can't imagine he will make it so I sit here for hours with the Cam trained on him and my heavy thoughts flying to the Cornell labs to give him strength.  And maybe an extra fish of his own.  The Fab Four though are doing great and looking more and more like adults.  Must be the no-carb diet, eh?

HORRORS:  The spotlight is following you even if you don't want to be the main attraction today. Thankfully, your ability to finish what you start holds you in good stead with your peers since they rely on your sense of duty and generosity. As long as you don't lose sight of your purpose, you have what it takes to get the job done now. Whether or not others are watching, just do the best you can and your efforts will be appreciated.

Had a good day in the studio, got the new quilt all blocked out, then took it all apart to bring home the old pieces to wash up after their years in storage bins.  Since the background quilt was one I bought in Leadville Colorado years ago (and found out the pattern was 'Contrary Wife' which made me love it all the more) I think that 'Leadville' will be in the name somehow.  It's all made of blue work shirts and light weight chambray, hand pieced and hand quilted BUT in pretty bad shape and not very 'special' to hold on to.  I have NO problem cutting it up.  And I always finish what I start, usually two days before the deadline.  That's what happens when you're raised a Presbyterian.  Nothing is left unfinished.  Sigh.

Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.  Steve Jobs

And hey, I am GOOD at connecting experiences too.  Thanks for validating, Steve.

In Other News, I got a notification that they are pre selling 'Artists' Books' on Amazon now and it will be released soon.  Watch for it-  I have two of my books included and can't wait to see my copy!

And so, back to the Herons and paying some bills!